Mets' suitor wanted to buy the Brewers

A story in the New York Times says hedge-fund manager David Einhorn, currently in the process of taking over a third of the New York Mets, once tried to buy a piece of the Milwaukee Brewers.

According to the story, Einhorn, who grew up in the Milwaukee area, wanted to join the group led by Mark Attanasio. But, according to the Times, "his timing was off. He had lost out on his hometown team."

Attanasio's group formally purchased the Brewers in 2005 for $223 million.

According to the Times: “'He looked seriously at the Brewers,' said Bill Ackman, another hedge fund heavyweight, who runs Pershing Square Capital Management. He said that Einhorn did not view his interest as a lark. Indeed, Ackman said Einhorn 'kicked himself' when he heard what Attanasio’s group paid for his share of the team: $223 million.'"

Einhorn is the son of Stephen Einhorn, and the brother of Daniel Einhorn. Stephen and Daniel operate Einhorn & Associates, a Wauwatosa mergers and acquisitions consultancy.

Stephen and Daniel Einhorn have declined to comment on David Einhorn's interest in the Mets. But a baseball source said the two were not involved in David Einhorn's pursuit of the Mets.